Non-refillable bottle



No. 6|9 ,3II. Patented .Fab. :4; m9.

.1. L. JACKSON. NUN-BEFILLABLE BOTTLE.

(Application filed May 22, 1896.)

(No Model.)

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UNTTED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN L. JACKSON, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

NON-REFILLABLE BOTTLE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 619,311, dated February 14;, 1899.

Application filed May 22, 1896. Serial No. 592,578. (No model.) T

To all whom it may concern:

. Be it known that I, JOHN L. JACKSON, a citizen of the United States, residing in Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Non-Refillable Bottles,of which the following is a specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, in which Figures 1 and 2 are vertical sections, and Fig. 3 is a cross-section on line 3 8 of Fig. 1.

My invention relates to non-refillable bottles, and has for its object to provide an improved bottle of this class in which the stopper can readily be inserted and non-removably secured in the bottle-neck after the bottle has been filled, the stopper being so constructed that while freely permitting the discharge of the contents of the bottle it will nevertheless prevent its being refilled.

To this end my invention consists, primarily, in providing a bottle having its neck constricted at a suitable point by an internal flange or equivalent means, with a stopper having a retaining device which is adapted to be inserted into the bottle-neck past said flange and to automatically engage the flange or constriction upon the reverse movement of the stopper in such manner as to prevent the withdrawal of the stopper. The flange or constriction not only coacts with the retaining device to prevent the stopper from being withdrawn from the bottle-neck, but it also serves to prevent the stopperfrom moving bodily into the bottle, and in the simplest embodiment of my invention it performs the further function of a valve-seat, the upper portion of the stopper serving as a valve, which when seated upon said flange prevents the inflow of liquid. It willbe noted, therefore, that my improved stopper consists generally of a valve portion and a retaining device, the latter being movable inward past the flange or constriction of the bottle-neck, but not outward. To secure this action, the stopper is so constructed that the retaining device is adapted to be turned upward sufficiently to pass the flange or constricted portion of the neck when moving inward only, and after passing it to automatically move into position to engage the flange when the stopper is moved upward, thus preventing the withdrawal thereof.

My improved stopper, furthermore, may be employed as a protecting device above a valve stopper of any suitable construction to prevent tampering therewith. When so used, it is inserted after the bottle has been filled and the valve-stopper inserted, being automatically secured non-removably in place when inserted. WVhen used for this purpose, it is not essential that the upper member be a valve which prevents refilling of the bottle, as then its function may be simply to prevent tampering With the valve below it, the latter being relied upon to prevent refilling. In all cases, however, means must be provided for permitting outflow of liquid past the stopper. To this end the upper member of the stopper is arranged to fall away from its seat when the bottle is inverted, and to permit of outflow past the retaining device it is either suitably shaped so as not to close the neck when the bottle is inverted or suitable means is provided for preventing the retaining device from seating itself snugly against the under side of the flange.

In the accompanying drawings, wherein I have illustrated my invention in one of its simplest forms, 4 indicates a bottle which is provided with an internal flange 5, formed in any suitable way, preferably by indenting the neck of the bottle, as illustrated in the drawings. The flange 5 serves to support the stopper or valve, forming in the construction shown a seat therefor, as will be hereinafter described.

The stopper or valve, as herein illustrated, is composed of two inflexible plates or disks 6 7, two flexible plates or disks 8 9, and a connecting device 10. The stopper is made to conform to the shape in cross-section of the bottle-neck, and as bottle-necks are usually circular the parts of the stopper will hereinafter be termed disks. The disks 6 8 are arranged in juxtaposition, the flexible disk 8 being beneath. The disks 7 9 are also in juxtaposition, the flexible disk 9 being above, as shown. The pairs of disks are connected together and held a suitable distance apart by a connecting device or pin 10. As shown in Fig. 1, the diameter of the disk 7 is such that it may be inserted from above into I 7 when passing the flange. When once inserted, however, the stoppercannot be withdrawn, because when the disk 9 is bent over the edge of the disk '7, as it would be under an attempt to withdraw the stopper, the increased diameter of the disk 7 resulting therefrom would be greater than that of the bottleneck at the flange, making the withdrawal of the stopper impossible. The disks 7 and 9 therefore constitute a retaining device which is insertible past the flange, and after passing such flange automatically locks the stopper in position, so that it cannot be withdrawn. The disks 6 8 are preferably both of greater diameter than the neck at the flange 5 to prevent forcing the stopper beyond the flange into the bottle; but, if desired, the disk 6 may be of less diameter, the disk 8 being then of such thickness that when doubled over the edge of the disk 6 it will prevent it from being forced beyond the flange, as above described in connection wit-h'the disks7 9. The disk.8 is made flexible, because it acts as a valve when resting upon the flange 5 to prevent refilling of the bottle, and flexible material is best suited for this purpose. The disk 6 is made inflexible and preferably of metal to'prevent mutilation of the disk 8. It

is notessential that the disks 6 8 be separate from each other, as, if desired, a disk 6 may be used of refractory material coated with some suitable substance which would adapt itself snugly to the flange 5, and thereby prevent refilling of the bottle, or the disk 6 may be beveled and arranged to seat itself snugly upon the flange 5, which may also be beveled to correspond to the shape of the disk, so that no coating would be necessary.

11 indicates one or more passages through the disks 7 9 to permit outflow of liquid by the retaining device. Such passages maybe either through both said disks, in the edges of the disk 9 alone, or the combination of both. Other means may, however, be employed to permit outflow of liquid past the retaining device and prevent the closure of the bottle-neck by the retaining device when the bottle is completely or partly inverted.

It will be seen from the above description that when the stopper is in place it will straddle the flange 5, the disk 8 resting thereupon. The length of the pin 10 is such that when the disk 9 rests upon the flange 5, as is the case-when the bottle is inverted in pouring,

the disk 8 will be moved slightly away from the upper surface of said flange, thereby affording passage for the outflow of the contents of the bottle.

In operation the bottle is first filled. The stopper is then inserted, the disk 9 being doubled back from the disk 7 by its passage by the flange 5 until it passes beyond said flange, when it will return to its normal position and, as above described, prevent the withdrawal of the stopper. The disk 8 will then rest on the flange 5, which forms a seat for it, preventing the introduction of liquid into the bottle. Thecontents of the bottle may, however, be discharged by simply tilting it in the usual manner, as the disk 8 is thereby caused to drop away from the flange, permitting the liquid to flow around it.

An ordinary cork may be used to seal the bottle in the usual manner.

As a further safeguard against refilling I may provide a second stopper,preferably similar to the first, though of smaller. diameter, so that it may pass the upper flange 5 to a lower flange 12, by which it is supported, as shown in Fig. 2. The upper stopper effectually cuts off access to the lower one, so that the latter cannot be tampered with, thereby making the bottle more secure. WVhile I prefer to use similar stoppers in both cases, it will be understood that as the lower stopper is protected by the upper one it is not essential that the lower stopper in itself be non-removably secured in place, and instead of using a lower stopper, such as is illustrated in the drawings, other suitable stoppers or valves maybe used. Furthermore, where two stoppers are used, inasmuch as the principal function of the upper stopper is to prevent access to the lower, it is not essential that the upper stopper shall act as a valve to prevent ingress ofliquid, although it is desirable that it should act in that way. The upper stopper should, however, be arranged to engage the upper flange, so that it cannot be forced down past said flange upon the lower stopper. Furthermore, my invention, broadly considered, includes the substitution for the upper disks of the stopper of other suitable valves in combination with a retaining device operating as herein described.

The corresponding parts of the lower stopper (illustrated in Fig. 2) are indicated by prime reference-numerals corresponding to the reference-numerals of the upper stopper, as the constructions of such stoppers are substantiallyidentical. The1owerstopper,however, illustrates a modification of the construction first described, the flexible disks 8' 9 being ring-like and being secured to and supported solely by their respective inflexible disks 6 7.

The retaining device may be further modified in its construction, and I do not confine myself to the use of disks, the essential feature of the retaining device being that it shall be adapted to be turned up for insertion into the bottle-neck past the flange, or be otherwise arranged to move past the flange or constriction when inserted into the bottle-neck, but after insertion shall automatically adjust itself in such manner as to engage the flange at the constricted portion of the neck and prevent the withdrawal of the stopper. It must also be so shaped or must so operate as to permit liquid to flow out past it. I

While I have described in detail theconstruction of that form of my invention which is herein illustrated, I do not wish to be limited to such specific details, as many modifications may be made without departing from the spirit of my invention.

What I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. In a non-refillable bottle, the combination with a bottle having in its neck a fixed internal flange, of a stopper which straddles said flange, said stopper comprising a valve portion which acts to permit egress and prevent ingress of liquid, and a retaining device insertible from above past said flange and non-removably engaging said flange after insertion, preventing withdrawal of the stopper, and means for permitting outflow of liquid by the retaining device, substantially as described.

2. In a non-refillable bottle, the combination with a bottle having a constriction in its neck,- of a stopper adapted to lie partly above and partly below said constriction, said stopper-being arranged to permit outflow of liquid from the bottle and consisting of a portion adapted to lie above said constriction and I prevent the forcing of the stopper into the bottle, and a retaining device insertible from above, past said constriction and non-removably engaging it after insertion, preventing the withdrawal f the stopper, and means for permitting outflow of liquid by the retaining device, substantially as described.

3. In a non-refillable bottle, the combination with a bottle having an internally flanged or constricted neck, of a stopper comprising a valve which permits egress and prevents ingress of liquid, a retaining device consisting of a member foldable for insertion into the bottle-neck, into engagement with said flange or constriction, said member being adapted to non-removably engage said flange after insertion to prevent the withdrawal of the stopper, and means for permittingoutflow of liquid by the retaining device, substantially as described.

4. In a non-refillable bottle, the combination with a bottle having a fixed obstruction in its neck, of a stopper comprising a valve which permits egress of liquid, a retaining device consisting of a flexible member bendable upward for insertion into the bottle-neck past said obstruction, and means preventing reverse bending of said flexible member sufficiently to permit of its withdrawal past said obstruction, and means for permitting outflow of liquid by the retaining device, substantially as described.

5. In a non-refillable bottle, the combination with a bottle having in its neck a fixed internal flange, of a valve below said flange permitting egress and preventing ingress of liquid, a protecting device which straddles said flange, said protecting device permitting egress of liquid and comprising a flexible member bendable upward for insertion into the bottle-neck past said flange, means preventing reverse bending of said flexible member sufficiently to permit of its withdrawal past said flange, and means for permitting outflow of liquid by the retaining device, and a member which engages said flange from above, preventing the forcing of said protecting device into the bottleneck past said flange, substantially as described.

6. In a non-refillable bottle, the combination with a bottle having a fixed internal flange, of a stopper insertible from above to straddle said flange, said stopper being arranged to permit egress of liquid, meansautotnatically engaging said flange upon the insertion of the stopper, to lock said stopper non-removably in the bottle-neck, and means for permitting outflow of liquid by the looking device substantially as described.

7. In a non-refillable bottle, the combination with a bottle having a fixed internal flange in the neck thereof, forming a valveseat, of a stopper comprising a retaining device insertible past said flange and non-removably engaging said flange after insertion to prevent withdrawal of the stopper, and an upper member connected to said retaining device and seated upon said flange, forming therewith a valve to prevent refilling of the bottle, said valve being adapted to permit outflow of liquid, and means for permitting outflow of'liquid by said retaining device, substantially as described.

8. In a nonrefillable bottle, the combination with a bottle having an internal flange 5, of a valve having flexible disks 8 9, inflexible disks 6 7, and a connecting device connect-- ing said disks in pairs, and one or more pas sages to permit thecontents of the bottle to pass said disks 7 9, substantially as described.

9. In a non-refillable tion with a bottle having an internal flange, of a stopper consisting of inner flexible disks 8 9, outerinflexible disks 6 7, and a connecting device, said connecting device being arranged to hold said pairs of disks at such a distance apart that when one of the flexible disks rests upon said flange the other will be held a short distance from its seat, and one or more passages to permit the contents of the bottle to pass the disks 7 9, substantially as described.

10. A stopper consisting of a flexible disk 9, having one or more fluid-passages, an inflexible disk 7 of less diameter than the disk 9, a connecting device, a flexible disk opposite said disk 9, and an inflexible disk 6 connected to said connecting device, the disk 6 being greater in diameter than the disk 7, substantially as described.

11. A stopper consisting of a flexible disk 9, an inflexible disk 7, a connecting device, a disk connected to said connecting device opposite said disk 9, and one or more passages in said disk 9, substantially as described.

12. In a non-refillable bottle, the combination with a bottle having an internal flange, of a stopper comprising a valve adapted to rest thereupon to prevent the refilling of the bottle, a retaining device for preventing withdrawal of said valve consisting of an inflexible disk 9, said reflexible disk 7 and a bottle, the combinataining device having one or more fluid-passages, and means connecting said disks 7 and 9 to said valve so that the die the flange, substantiallyas described.

13. In a non-refillable bottle, the combination with a bottle having a fixed internal flange, of a stopper which loosely straddles said flange, said stopper comprising a valve portion which permits outflow of liquid, and a retaining device, the latter being insertible from above past said flange after insertion to prevent withdrawal of the stopper, the upper portion of the stopper being of greater diameter than the passage at the flange, and means for permitting outflow of liquid past the retaining device, substantially as described.

14. In anon-refillable bottle, the combination with a bottle having an internal flange, of a valve for preventing refilling but permitting emptying of the bottle, and flexible and inflexible disks, as.9 7, respectively, connected to said valve, said flexible disk being bendable back upon itself to pass said flange. from above and acting with said inflexible; disk to engage said flange, to prevent withdrawal of said valve, and one or more pas-.: sages permitting discharge of the contents of the bottle past said disks, substantially as described.

15. In a non-refillable bottle, the combination with a bottlefhaving a constriction in its neck, of a stopper which permits outflow of liquid, said stopper consisting of va portion adapted to lie above said constriction, and a retaining device adapted to be turned backstoppermay strad- I or up when inserted into the bottle-neck to pass saidconstriction, and arranged to auto-- matically return to position after insertion, to engage said constriction and prevent Withdrawal of the stopper, and'means for permit-! ting outflow of liquidby-the retaining device, substantially as described.

16. In a non-refillable bottle, thecombina- -tion with a bottle having an internal flange in its neck, of a stopper consisting of avalve which permits egress and prevents ing ess of liquid,a retaining device foldable back for insertion past said flange,-means for preventing said retaining device from folding materially in an opposite direction, means preventing the entire stopper'from moving past said flange into the .bott1e,and means for per- ;mittingoutflow of liquid past said retaining device, substantially as described.

17. A stopper fornon-refillable bott1es,comprising a valve which permits egress and prevents ingress of liquid, a retaining deviceconsistin g of an upperflexi bjlememberand alower inflexible member of less diameter than the upper member, and in juxtaposition thereto, 'the valve beingof greater diameter than said inflexible member, and oneyor more passages in said retaining device for permitting out flow of liquid,substantially as described.

18. sisting of a valve-disk which permitslegress and "prevents ingress of "liquid, a stem extendingthrough said disk, a protecting-disk secured to said stemabove said valve-disk, a retaining device 'foldable for insertion into a bottle-neck and adapted to automatically engage a portion of the bottleneck after insertion to prevent-withdrawal of the stopper, and one or more-passages for permitting outflow of liquid by he retaining device, substantially as described.

JOHN L. JACKSON.

Witnesses:

ALBERT H. ADAMS, L. L. BOND. v

A stopper for non-refillable bottles com 

